USF, which has had to replace its two most visible coaches in the past 18 months, will now have to replace the man who made those hires.

Athletic director Bill Hogan, who has overseen Dons sports since 1991, resigned Friday to become the AD at Seattle University, an NCAA Division II program and a member of the Great Northwest Conference.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 15 years at USF,” Hogan said in a statement released by USF. “I would like to thank the university for the opportunity here and the support I have received from the administration.

Hogan helped restore the Dons to a competitive level in many sports. This past school year, USF won the men’s all-sports award and increased the number of scholarships in women’s sports. Recently, he hired Jessie Evans to coach men’s basketball and he led the Dons to an NIT berth in the 2004-05 season, Evans’ first year. In April, Hogan appointed Denver assistant Tanya Haave as the women’s basketball coach.

Hogan said Seattle University is in the process of increasing its sports presence, committing $38 million to a new athletic facility. Like USF, Seattle is a Jesuit school.